Criticism of the flu comparison – “Berset torpedoes the booster campaign”

The booster campaign is faltering – although the omicron wave has completely hit Switzerland: “There are many people who hesitate to get a booster vaccination,” said Rebecca Ruiz, Vice President of the Conference of Health Directors, on Friday at the press conference with Alain Berset: “The protection but it needs it now, the booster vaccination offers that.”

But while Ruiz called for registration for the booster vaccination, Federal Councilor Berset compared the course of Omikron with that of flu: For vaccinated people, an illness with Omikron is more “like a cold or flu,” the Minister of Health told RTS this week. Will that help the booster campaign?

The Ticino infectiologist Andreas Cerny has zero understanding for Berset’s comparison: “This statement is a single communication failure.” The comparison of Omikron with the flu has a trivializing effect. “Berset shoots himself in the foot and torpedoes the booster campaign. It is important to convince people of the benefits of the booster vaccination right now.”

Because the pandemic is currently more virulent than ever, says Cerny, referring to the high number of cases. “Only the booster can prevent infections, since omicron is enormously contagious.” The booster vaccination therefore plays a central role in relieving the burden on the healthcare system, as well as maintaining the infrastructure and basic services.

According to Cerny, Omikron leads to less severe courses overall, but there can still be no talk of flu: “Omikron is much more contagious than flu and therefore generates a whole flood of infected people. This sheer number of diseases places a heavy burden on the healthcare system and to a completely different extent than, for example, a flu epidemic. »

According to the infectiologist, there are also two other factors: “On the one hand, we hardly know anything about the long-term consequences of this virus variant. On the other hand, people with a weakened immune system can only build up limited immunity despite boosters.”

Berset’s statement is grist to the mill of the critics of the measures, as a look at social media shows. They feel confirmed in their perception that Corona is only a harmless flu – even for those who have not been vaccinated. A Twitter user praises Berset’s “insight”. The Federal Council also received encouragement from the “Moderate” association: “The bubble is bursting,” comments the organization on its Telegram channel.

Cerny considers such conclusions from Berset’s comparison to be completely out of place: “We must not forget that the virus has already killed over twelve thousand people in Switzerland and has temporarily completely paralyzed our healthcare system.”

Berset defended his flu comparison at yesterday’s press conference. He emphasized: “I made the statement in relation to people with immunity.” For people with low or no immunity, the virus still poses a risk that should not be underestimated. A Berset spokesman declined to comment on Andreas Cerny’s criticism.